Originally posted by Anton Magus To see if your camera is eligible for the point-and-shoot competitions, check off its features against the entries in the block below.
The sensor crop factor as well as sensor size are included as there could otherwise be some confusion arising from the way that some
camera manufacturers state sensor sizes in mm or inches, or in "types".
Cameras that have ONLY the LCD screen for composing photographs would still score 2 points.
Each green block scores 2 points, each blue block scores 1 point and yellow block score 0
By my reckoning almost all basic compact cameras score around 10 points, while "bridge" or super-zooms score around 7 points.
The Pentax Q (as far as I can work out) scores 5 points and so does the Fuji X100.
Rangefinder type film cameras score at least 5 points while folding, box and holga-types with fixed focal length lenses score more.
Cameras like the Sony NEX range, and the Samsung equivalent score maybe a 2 while DSLR's score 0
So, you establish a cut-off of 5 (or 6 or 7) points. If your camera scores the cut-off value or more, your entry is acceptable,
otherwise it is not. Its easy to understand and allows for a wide range of different types of cameras, but still keeps the playing
field relatively even for everyone.
The judge could even insist that every entry also includes the camera score and use that as a factor in the judging if they wanted.
Maybe someone would like to suggest an improvement to this idea?
I like this idea, though I approach the P&S contest from a decidedly vintage-camera angle, so let me see if I can clear up some things.
I have two suggestions: RE: Focusing. You should also award 2 points for manual focus without a focus-finding mechanism, IE scale focus cameras where you estimate the distance with your eye and dial that in on the lens. Fixed Focus and Auto-focus Only would be on the 2-point chit too. 1 point would be switchable AF/MF and Non-TTL mechanical focusing aids such as TLRs and Rangefinders. SLRs (and view cameras for what that's worth) would be 0.
Second suggestion, concerning Exposure: Where do fully-manual, unmetered cameras fall? If it has fully manual shutter speed in seconds and aperture in F/numbers, but no meter, is that considered more point and shoot because you have to guess, or more "professional" because you have complete control?
What about Box cameras and the like that had fully manual, variable controls for time and aperture, but had a legend such as, "If it's sunny, set the camera to 1/25s and f/16 when loaded with Adox film"?
Should you be forced to shoot without an external exposure meter for these cameras to enter them in the P&S contest?
Originally posted by audiobomber The main difference between the S95 and the G12 to me is the hot shoe.
Flash could be another line in the chart:
In-body flash, 2 points
Pop-up flash, 1 point
External flash/hot shoe, 0
I'd say:
All fully automatic flashes with no override: 2 points. Pop-up or in-body flash with override: 1 point. Hot shoe: 0 points. If it has pop-up and a hot shoe, 0 points.